'It's Incredible': Hoggard football overcomes Cleveland, advances to NCHSAA Regional Final

CLAYTON ― In a perfect representation of progress, the Hoggard High School football team overcame Cleveland in the quarterfinals of the NCHSAA 4A playoffs Friday night.

While the No. 2-seeded Rams handed the No. 3-seeded Vikings their sole loss of 2023 in Week 1, this time around, something felt different. Hoggard did enough to survive a back-and-fourth battle, ultimately pulling away late in the 51-35 win.

"I think we have a really tough football team," Hoggard coach Craig Underwood said. "I look at every player that's getting it done out there to our coaching staff … this is a group of guys that is really driven."

Hoggard (13-1) bolted to a 21-0 lead in the second quarter thanks to three passing touchdowns from quarterback Hudson Wilharm. The senior finished the night completing 27 of 42 passes for 385 yards and six touchdowns.

PLAYOFF BRACKETS 2023 NCHSAA high school football playoff brackets: Hoggard advances to state quarterfinal

NC PLAYOFF SCORES Hoggard High School football playoff scores, live updates in NCHSAA Round 4 Wilmington, NC

"We knew Cleveland is a great team and that we weren't going to cruise to an easy win in this one," Wilharm said. "We had to handle adversity, and we handled it well."

The Rams didn't go without a fight, scoring two quick touchdowns late in the second quarter to make it 21-14 at halftime. Cleveland outscored Hoggard 14-7 in the third quarter, tying the game at 28 entering the final period of regulation.

While the Vikings could not muster enough offense to score when needed in Week 1, Friday night showed how far the unit has come in the last 13 weeks.

After a Cleveland safety, Wilharm connected with Nas Session on a 57-yard score to put the Vikings up 37-28. Session totaled four touchdown receptions on the night, including a spectacular one-handed grab on a 14-yard strike with 6:57 left to play.

"I just know I need to make a play when my number is called," Session said. "I got with my QB and the wide receivers, and I told them this game is going to be on us because (Cleveland) was stacking the box."

The Vikings solidified their dominance late in the fourth quarter as Brayden Stephens returned an interception more than 60 yards for a touchdown.

Wilharm, who attempted a season-high 42 passes in the win, says the Vikings' mentality will carry on to next week's Eastern Regional final.

"We (need) to have that same mentality that we've had all year: stay focused and keep that determination," he said.

Cleveland (13-1) finishes a tremendous 2023 season on a sour note as junior quarterback Jackson Byrd threw three interceptions. Running back Tyson Stokes rushed for 191 yards and four touchdowns.

Hoggard will head back to Wilmington, where it will host No. 5 Cardinal Gibbons (12-2) on Dec. 1 in the NCHSAA 4A Eastern Regional final.

"We have a team that really loves playing together, Underwood said. "They are a special group; they were just willing to fight through all the adversity tonight. It's just incredible."

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Hoggard football knocks Cleveland out of NCHSAA playoffs